Straight floor tiles are prone to damage. For the repair of floor tiles you have different methods to choose from, but they also bring different touch-up results. Below we will show you the best techniques for repairing floor tiles and give you the advantages and disadvantages.

Especially floor tiles are prone to damage

Explicitly floor tiles are extremely vulnerable to differential damage. The classic is probably a heavy, edged object that falls on the floor tiles. The resulting damage ranges from superficial flaking to broken floor tile. But broken floor tiles can also be created differently. For example, if the tiles were not properly glued, leaving cavities under the floor tiles. But even moisture can be responsible for damage to the adhesive bed or even blooming. If you unknowingly step on such a tile, it is quickly broken.

When repairing floor tiles you have an abundant selection of techniques

There are only different ways to repair the floor tiles. However, the repair methods differ significantly in the results to be achieved.

Special tile paint pens and tile repair kits

With these tools, you have the least amount of work. They prepare the tile according to the manufacturer's specifications. In most cases, this means sanding the tiles. You may also need to apply liquid plastic or leveling putty to top off the chipping. Subsequently, the paint is reproduced with the paint pen. However, this method has two significant disadvantages. On the one hand you can no longer produce such a chipped glaze of the floor tile. In addition, the tile paint pencils are usually limited in the shades on widespread colors. But alone with white, there are countless shades and tints.

Prepare putty with color pigments

Minor damage and spalling can also be filled with putty or tile adhesive. Specialist retailers have special color pigments. These are available for painters as well as for the dyeing of concrete and cement. Some "experts" recommend scraping a crayon mine. The effort is enormous. There are also color pigments for really little money. Note, however, when mixing, that the color of the still wet filler must be much darker. It may be advisable to first dry the prepared spatula on a test surface. This method is suitable for almost any floor tile, because you can really mix the color exactly. However, you can no longer produce a damaged glaze.

The best way to repair floor tiles: replace the tile

Of course, the best technique is to replace the damaged floor tile. This also ensures the integrity of the tile surface, so that, for example, in wet rooms or outdoors no moisture can penetrate into the tiles and the underlying substrate. Using an electric tile cutter or a small milling cutter, first cut out the damaged tile in the joint. Then gently beat out the tile that has now been removed from the remaining floor tiles with a hammer and a chisel.

Clean the gap of tile adhesive residues and, if necessary, level out with leveling or leveling filler. You can also use tile adhesive. Now paste your new tile and grout. It is advantageous if you have already noted the exact mixing ratios of water and grout when first laying the tiles. Just make sure the color is the same. The numerous advantages are obvious. A disadvantage is only given if you have not set aside spare tiles.

Tips & Tricks

When laying floor tiles, keep in mind that they are very susceptible to damage. Therefore you should always store replacement tiles. Many tiles are not available in the next season, not to mention very old tiles.

Find damage such as cracks or flaking especially in tiles in wet rooms (bathrooms, laundry rooms) or in the outdoor area (balcony, terrace), act immediately. Immediately repair the cracks provisionally with leveling compound or liquid plastic. To prevent water from entering. Ingress of moisture into the ground massively accelerates the decay and destruction of the floor tiles.